3:15 PM,
May 7, 2013

Fathead minnows, like these distributed by the Rockland County Department of Health in 2007, eat mosquitoes. They are released into local streams, rivers and ponds as part of West Nile prevention programs. File photo/The Journal News

Written by

Westchester County is asking residents to help deploy thousands of mosquito-gobbling fish in its fight against the West Nile virus.

Known as fathead minnows, the fish feed on young mosquitoes and will be available for free on Friday and Saturday for homeowners to place in ponds, pools, detention basins and other standing bodies of water on their properties.

"I hope residents will take advantage of this opportunity to help us curtail the mosquito population," Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said in an email. "This is a natural strategy that has proven effective in county parks and in ...